Lidl Satellite reciever etc. from 28th August

Silvercrest is model number and web site of this make known?

--
Regards,
David

Please reply to News Group

Malcolm H

2006-08-21 14:46:14 UTC

Post by David
Silvercrest is model number and web site of this make known?
--
Regards,
David

A little Google work led to this:

http://www.comag-ag.de/engl/en_home.html

Bill (Adopt)

2006-08-21 14:47:55 UTC

Post by David
Silvercrest is model number and web site of this make known?

Magnifying the piccies on the site suggest that it's a

Silvercrest SL 65..

Originallyy, (or perhaps still), produced by COMAG.

I have had the identical set in operation for more
than a couple or three years and, as well as the
features described on:

http://www.lidl.co.uk/uk/home.nsf/pages/c.o.20060828.p.Digital_Satellite_Receiver.ar3

and better described on

http://www.lidl.co.uk/uk/home.nsf/pages/c.o.20060828.p.Digital_Satellite_Dish_and_Receiver_Set.ar3

The SL 65 receiver, as well as being supplied with a twin LNB
allowing for the reception of two groups of satellites,
(usually Astra 28E and Hotbird 13E), also 'boasts' a USALS
set-up where you may enter your latitude and longitude and get
the SL 65 to automatically search for all satellite groups
programmed into it's database using a motorized dish set-up.

As for the receiver it appears to give rock solid and sharp,
well-defined piccies including good, vibrant colours (using a
Sony 32" W/S), as well as a quality sound. Radio is also
included.. ;))

Amongst the other more important things, there is also a
freeze-frame facility as well as a Zoom facility and the
ability to 'save' and store whatever piccy is on screen.

Try, however, ordinary Ceefax/Teletext from your receivers
handset - you'll get all that channels information, including
films for the next week or so - albeit all in 'foreign'!

..at least it works on my Sony :)) ..as well as the digital
EPG for that channel if it's being tranmitted - and a sort
of window in window reception for the 'next' ten channels,
(moving and sound in the one selected to allow for a quick
look before choosing)..

I'm sure I've missed something here - but it really is an
easy box to use, well-prepared and put together, with a very
readable, indexed, simple and well laid out printed manual,
in 'English' ..not the often roughly translated A4 photocopy.

I'd give it top marks for quality, construction, set-up,
ease of use - and, at this stage 2/3 years on, total reliability.

Oh yes, there's also a three-year warranty should anything
go wrong...

hh... :))

Bill ZFC

--
Adoption InterLink UK with -=- http://www.billsimpson.com/
Domain Host Orpheus Internet -=- http://www.orpheusinternet.co.uk/

Paul D

2006-08-21 15:22:24 UTC

Post by David
Silvercrest is model number and web site of this make known?

Magnifying the piccies on the site suggest that it's a
Silvercrest SL 65..
Originallyy, (or perhaps still), produced by COMAG.
I have had the identical set in operation for more
than a couple or three years and, as well as the
http://www.lidl.co.uk/uk/home.nsf/pages/c.o.20060828.p.Digital_Satellite_Receiver.ar3
and better described on
http://www.lidl.co.uk/uk/home.nsf/pages/c.o.20060828.p.Digital_Satellite_Dish_and_Receiver_Set.ar3
The SL 65 receiver, as well as being supplied with a twin LNB
allowing for the reception of two groups of satellites,
(usually Astra 28E and Hotbird 13E), also 'boasts' a USALS
set-up where you may enter your latitude and longitude and get
the SL 65 to automatically search for all satellite groups
programmed into it's database using a motorized dish set-up.
As for the receiver it appears to give rock solid and sharp,
well-defined piccies including good, vibrant colours (using a
Sony 32" W/S), as well as a quality sound. Radio is also
included.. ;))
Amongst the other more important things, there is also a
freeze-frame facility as well as a Zoom facility and the
ability to 'save' and store whatever piccy is on screen.
Try, however, ordinary Ceefax/Teletext from your receivers
handset - you'll get all that channels information, including
films for the next week or so - albeit all in 'foreign'!
..at least it works on my Sony :)) ..as well as the digital
EPG for that channel if it's being tranmitted - and a sort
of window in window reception for the 'next' ten channels,
(moving and sound in the one selected to allow for a quick
look before choosing)..
I'm sure I've missed something here - but it really is an
easy box to use, well-prepared and put together, with a very
readable, indexed, simple and well laid out printed manual,
in 'English' ..not the often roughly translated A4 photocopy.
I'd give it top marks for quality, construction, set-up,
ease of use - and, at this stage 2/3 years on, total reliability.
Oh yes, there's also a three-year warranty should anything
go wrong...
hh... :))
Bill ZFC

Are you sure it's the type of LNB that gives access to two satellites? It's
described as a twin LNB as opposed to a dual LNB. If I'm right this means
that it's a single block (one satellite) with two outputs, so it can feed a
PVR (watch one channel and record another) or feed two separate receivers.
The pic seems to bear this out too.

Also, the dish is very small (57 cm).

Still, for use in the south of England, locked on to Astra 1, Astra 2 or
Hotbird it would be a useful addition to a Freeview system at a good price
(60.00 pounds).

Bill (Adopt)

2006-08-22 07:47:22 UTC

[..] (some snips)..

Post by Paul D
Are you sure it's the type of LNB that gives access to two satellites? It's
described as a twin LNB as opposed to a dual LNB. If I'm right this means
that it's a single block (one satellite) with two outputs, so it can feed a
PVR (watch one channel and record another) or feed two separate receivers.
The pic seems to bear this out too.

Perhaps - you might be correct, but I can't answer that
from my magnified examination of the sales pitch until
I see the package contents on sale - and, of course,
read the additional installation notes that come with
the complete package. (See note 1 way below)..

All that I can say - from my present experience - is
that my LiDL package LNB seems to pick up two separate
sat feeds - presently one from Hotbird at 13E at which
the dish is primarily aimed - and an additional feed that
shows as an equally strong signal apparently from
Atlantic Bird (3) at 5W.

Of course there may be other reasons as to why my
dish/LNB setup should do this, but simplistically it
does fit in with LiDL's 'twin LNB' advertising claim.
I discovered it playing around with the SL 65's
'tuning' - signal strength meters, as well as the
USALS and the DiSEqC 1.2 menu(s).. :)) ..however you
speill the last..

In any event, the SL 65 can certainly support a group
of LNBs if you don't wish or need to use a motorized
dish mount...

With the SL 65's dish feed loop-through it is possible
to feed twin boxes anyway and, with it's twin scarts,
(VCR and TV - or AV1 and AV2) together with it's S-VHS
output and L/R stereo jacks, it should be possible to
connect a single box to more than one input/output or
monitoring devices.

I certainly have mine connected directly to a Thompson
VHS edit deck (historical!), a DVDR via it's S-VHS output
and a Sony TV 'monitor' at the end of an integrated AV
system without any problem, whilst maintaining an apparently
twin satellite feed.

When I get the money - (pensioner!) - I'll put in the
dish motor and see just how well my 39.99gbp box does in
the horizon to horizon auto-location stakes. Not that
I expect a problem and, after more than a couple of
years of utterly reliable viewing/archiving/timewasting
at the price, I don't think I'll be complaining toooo
loudly if it doesn't work quite as intended...! ;))

Post by Paul D
Also, the dish is very small (57 cm).

The LiDL package that I have came with an 85cm dish - I
rather thought this latest offer is similar - but it
would be as well to check out the separate 85cm dish which,
at 14.99gbp, should also be on offer at the same time...

The 57cm dish (or smaller?) that you mention is the one
sold with the portable camper package, so that it fits
in the suitcase holding all the parts, including the nicely
compact SL 65, which is the same 'box' that comes with
either package.

85cm would be a little on the large side for weekend
backpack luggability in the Wilds... ;))

Post by Paul D
Still, for use in the south of England, locked on to Astra 1, Astra 2 or
Hotbird it would be a useful addition to a Freeview system at a good price
(60.00 pounds).

Indeed - and you are also quite correct to suggest that
a buyer should check the size of the dish. With the 85cm
it picks up just about everything including the bugs on the
tree in next door's garden ..and quite a bit more as well,
from anywhere in GB and possibly beyond... :))

Noticing other comments, it's as well to state that
the SL 65 is an FTA box - ie, it is for 'Free To Air'
reception; unencrypted channels freely available, of
which there are some thousands.

There is no CAM provision for subscription cards,
whether FTV or not.

hh :))

Bill ZFC
e&oe ..always!

(1) As these packages tend to get sold within the first
ten or fifteen minutes from the opening of all the LiDL
stores, across Europe - I've found the best way to check
the manuals and installation notes is to grab a couple of
packages - plus extra bits such as an additional dish,
satellite 'finders', cabling or whatever else first - bang
them in your trolley - then gently open one package to get
at the said manuals and notes.

Quickly check - you will have a conversation with one or
more similar enthusiasts - and then, when satisfied that
you have what you want, put the extra bits back on the
shelf/in the bins. They too will then disappear within..
..oooeerr.. 60 seconds or less!

..a thought to the wise... again, hope helps.. ;))

--
Adoption InterLink UK with -=- http://www.billsimpson.com/
Domain Host Orpheus Internet -=- http://www.orpheusinternet.co.uk/

Paul D

2006-08-22 09:04:20 UTC

<Snip>

Post by Bill (Adopt)
(1) As these packages tend to get sold within the first
ten or fifteen minutes from the opening of all the LiDL
stores, across Europe - I've found the best way to check
the manuals and installation notes is to grab a couple of
packages - plus extra bits such as an additional dish,
satellite 'finders', cabling or whatever else first - bang
them in your trolley - then gently open one package to get
at the said manuals and notes.
Quickly check - you will have a conversation with one or
more similar enthusiasts - and then, when satisfied that
you have what you want, put the extra bits back on the
shelf/in the bins. They too will then disappear within..
..oooeerr.. 60 seconds or less!
..a thought to the wise... again, hope helps.. ;))

Very useful info Bill!

Can I ask how much you paid for installation? Here in London I'm being
quoted ludicrous sums (around 200 pounds) for what is a simple rig. This is
for both fixed dish and motorised systems. Admittedly it's prior to a proper
site survey, so the actual cost might come down a bit.

I'd be prepared to do it myself but I'm nervous about drilling into masonry
for setting up the dish mount and routing the cable into the lounge.

Bill (Adopt)

2006-08-22 12:03:22 UTC

Post by Paul D
<Snip>

Very useful info Bill!

You're welcome, Paul ..just hope it is a help. I have
found that LiDL offerings, including their yearly satellite
packages, to be very good value. There's always that little
extra that you don't expect - and a strong 3yr warranty if
anything should ever go amiss...

Post by Paul D
Can I ask how much you paid for installation?

Initially (it was an analogue package around four years ago),
39.99gbp for the package - including 20metres of quality
cabling, all weather seals, F-Connectors - the works including
the twin universal LNB). I paid an additional 2.99gbp for
the mounting bracket...

So.. 41.98gbp and a few minutes graft with a drill-owning
friend - who also had the correct sizes of ring spanners
for the various dish and mounting bolts...

The next year added to with the new digital SL 65 box at
39.99gbpwhich just dropped in perfectly without any further
fuss. The same well-sorted little box as on sale next week.

The prices haven't changed!

In your case, perhaps 59.99gbp for the complete package
with all the bits and pieces; possibly 14.99gbp for an
85cm dish if the package doesn't have it - although not
necessary for London and the South - and, again, 2.99gbp
for the basic bracket - perhaps an extra 3.99gbp for a
the digital satellite locator just in case...

A set of simple tools - ring spanners, cross-head drivers
and a borrowed masonry drill would be helpful ;)) - the
mountings come with all the 'Rawlplug' type masonry fixings
along with the rest of the package. So whatever your choice
adds up to - from 39.99gbp/41.98gbp to a possible 82.96gbp
inclusive of all extras...

Post by Paul D
Here in London I'm being
quoted ludicrous sums (around 200 pounds) for what is a simple rig. This is
for both fixed dish and motorised systems. Admittedly it's prior to a proper
site survey, so the actual cost might come down a bit.

Unless you have Bill Wright doing it, then don't be
surprised if the cost goes towards the satellites
themselves. It's still an area of (often unecessary)
calculations, compasses, complex equations, fingers in
wind and so on! Like a mediocre Barista's capuccino,
you can pay for the flash performance, rather than the
quality of the brewed liquid... ;))

Post by Paul D
I'd be prepared to do it myself but I'm nervous about drilling
into masonry
for setting up the dish mount and routing the cable into the lounge.

OK.. I did my own - or rather I encouraged my near
neighbour with a similar heart operation to the multiple
bypass that I have had, to assist. Between us we somehow
mounted the bracket on the wall at a convenient spot.
(The quality cabling and all plugs, silicon seals etc etc
comes with the LiDL kit).

Don't, however, drill into any mortar - mortar is not
strong enough to support the weight of the bracket and
dish. In a strong wind, the dish has an enormous force
- and can sail many hundreds of metres if it ever takes
off. Dishes have been known to bring down whole walls -
although an innocent 'ooops' to your buildings insurer
will probably get immediate help!...

Mounting the bracket meant drilling four holes for, in my
case, the basic 2.99gbp steel mounting bracket - also on
sale next week in LiDL. It's not advanced technology - but
has survived storm level winds, snow, hail, sleet as well
as an early hamfisted adjustment, for more than three years
now...

The important thing is to make sure that the upright upon
which you will mount either the dish, or the motor to which
you may attach the dish, is absolutely perpendicular. Use a
spirit level to check this, from all 'sides'. This is
essential to get the dish trained correctly in the next few
minutes - saving many hours of experimentation and fuss later.

However, don't bend the upright part of the tubing - it's
rather hefty anyway - put washers behind the four bolts
of the backing plate, but only if necessary. On tightening
the backing plate the mounting will be firmly held against
the wall, the washers providing any slight angle adjustment
in aligning the mount to the perpendicular. It's actually
easier than it reads...

After that, follow the destructions that come in the dish
package... they tell you how to line the dish up and tweak
it to get the best signal. (Signal detectors are also
available at LiDL, next week, for 3.99gbp) - although the
SL 65 also has strength and quality signal detectors on
board as well...

By the way - you don't always /need/ to mount the dish on
a roof or chimney pot - unless you live permanently in the
loft.. ;))

They can be mounted at normal ground level standing height
and just next to the window nearest to your TV/AV setup..

Unlike analogue or digital TV that need some clear line
to a transmitter, the microwaves of a satellite transmission
have already travelled the best part of (at least) 47,000 miles
getting to you - 23,500 'up' and 23,500 back 'down'. So,
a few feet more or less up or down on the side of your house,
flats, whatever isn't going to make too much of a difference.

Of course it's better to have line of site to a satellite -
but the dishes will work surprisingly well providing other
houses, trees, walls etc aren't within less than a few metres
or so. (Often hidden low down in a garden, just above the
reach of a grasscutter is a position that can please both
neighbours and the local council)!

Nearby trees can be the most difficult, with evilly waving
branches deliberately set on knackering your Sunday afternoon's
gondola racing from Venice... ;))

Whatever, if all else fails and you still can't get a signal,
then don't be frightened of asking a known professional or
neighbour who's done it before, to help tweak the dish it's
final few steps. It's a lot cheaper and chances are that you
will manage it for yourself by following carefully, step by
step, all the instructions that come with the kit.

Hope this all helps.. :))

Bill ZFC

--
Adoption InterLink UK with -=- http://www.billsimpson.com/
Domain Host Orpheus Internet -=- http://www.orpheusinternet.co.uk/

Paul D

2006-08-22 12:19:01 UTC

<snip>

Post by Bill (Adopt)
Whatever, if all else fails and you still can't get a signal,
then don't be frightened of asking a known professional or
neighbour who's done it before, to help tweak the dish it's
final few steps. It's a lot cheaper and chances are that you
will manage it for yourself by following carefully, step by
step, all the instructions that come with the kit.
Hope this all helps.. :))
Bill ZFC

Thanks for the comprehensive response Bill! Very helpful to me and I'm sure
to others as well.

Paul D

2006-08-24 00:23:12 UTC

Post by Paul D
<snip>

Thanks for the comprehensive response Bill! Very helpful to me and
I'm sure to others as well.

One thing I forgot to ask - does this receiver have an on board timer, like
the Skybox 'Autoview', which enables the user to programme a channel change
at a certain time so that it can be used in conjunction with an external
recorder?

Bill (Adopt)

2006-08-24 15:11:16 UTC

Post by Paul D
<snip>

One thing I forgot to ask - does this receiver have an on board
timer, like the Skybox 'Autoview', which enables the user to
programme a channel change
at a certain time so that it can be used in conjunction with an
external recorder?

Oh dear, Paul..! ..you make me wonder just what we all
really expect from a tiny little box about the size of
a thin(ish), small(ish) pocket-book costing an equally
miniaturised 39.99gbp..? ;))

A Timer...?:)) ..in short, yes!

Two methods of use that I can see - (it's called a
'Wakeup timer'). Either have it switched 'off' (or to
auto) within the general system time setup menu where
such things as date, time, GMT offset etc are reached.

In this case the timer button, placed ergonomically
next to the EPG button, will only respond if the EPG
data is being transmitted for the channel chosen. On
selection in conjunction with an active EPG it will
display the information for the EPG programme chosen -
and may, similar to a PVR, be adapted manually or
accepted as is.

If, however, the wakeup timer is set in the main time
submenu to 'manual', then the Timer button is always
available, listing the thousands of channels you might
have stored. It will then operate manually for any of
the selected channels, including the scrambled/dead ones.

Up to eight (8) timer selections may be stored, listed
for once, daily, weekly, monthly or yearly. The timer
also has the option for a 'general' message, or a
message for a birthday and also an anniversary...

..remember ..this little but powerful device, the 39.99gbp
Silverscreen SL 65 (Comag), /is/ an ambassador for LiDL...! :))

OK ..to try and avoid immediate questions and for any
who are interested - the SL65's list of features/benefits:

Selection of OSD languages as befits a device on sale
over the whole (!) of Europe next Monday...

Software updates via Astra 19C or via RS232.

Rapid switching response time - and fast boot process
if switching on from an power down or power reset
condition...

Saves last channel watched - with 'back' or 'skip' key
to previous setting...

Fully compliant with MPEG-2 nd DVB...

MPEG Video (***@ML), MPEG-1 Audio Layer 1, Layer 2...

Full LNB control logic, including DiSEcQ 1.0, 1.2 and
USALS/'GoToX' function (on entry of Latitude, Longitude
with motorised dish aimed at one of/or a pre-programmed
or pre-entered satellite position).

Symbol rates 1-35 MS/s and 950-2150 MHz input frequency.
(A limited Sky box it is not)!

Manual PID entries etc possible...

Installation assistant should everything be completely
wiped!

Child lock - although some of the best Italian cartoons
seem to be interspersed with live boobs, male 'chests'
(and the rest) for those interested - interspersed with
recitals of the Qu'r'n and piccies of 'Il Papa' at home.

One favourites list - and nine 'channel group' lists,
with editor and selection icons...

Automatic scanning of broadcasting stations...

List editor(s) for broadcasting stations...

Analogue sound output via cinch connectors - including
a volume and a mute control from the remote...

Ergonomically designed (and positive press) remote...

RCA Video output Cinch.. (cvbs)...

RCA Audio L/R Cinch (jacks)...

S-VHS output...

SPDiF: Coaxial Optical audio output...

Twin scarts - AV1 (TV) AV2 Euro (VCR)

TV scart with CVBS, RGB and YUV...

Loop through for F-Connection of a further box...

Super-Fast Teletext with 800 page memory - read all about
it in many foreign languages - no prizes those able to
guess the onscreen displays in Polish, Hungarian or Russian...
(Many European channels, but particularly Polish and often
Italian broadcasters, have English sub-titles for the benefit
of their many European cousins)...

..except for French channels - very high quality, but with
French subtitles only.. ;))

Full radio reception - many thousands of stations - with
background on-screen piccy selectable from menu...

Selectable full channel info on screen at change-over, with
choice of styles, colours, transparency and display-time.
Includes current time - which may be that of the channel
being transmitted, ie.. GMT, CET, or whatever pertains
locally in the many channels from around the world...

Screen ration may be set to 4:3 cut and dried, 4:3 pan and scan,
Widescreen 16:9 and 'Automatic selection'...

Multi-function timer, for up to 8 stored 'programme slots',
either linked with selected channel's EPG, or manually as
per local VHS/DVDR recorder...

Sleep timer zzzzzzzz...

Electronic Programme Guide, (EPG), for channels transmitting
that data...

SCPC/MCPC reception standard C/Ku-Band Satellites...

Auto selection of various PAL, NTSC flavours, as well as
SECAM...

Video output in various flavours of PAL or NTSC...

Rapid and clear response signal meter for both 'Strength'
and 'Quality' of signal... (including audio beep/tone)...

Additionally, according to the simple and well-laid out book
of words, there's further info and suitable channel editors,
(RS232 link) that may be downloaded from www.comag-ag.de

The new owner can find out about the additional bits and
bobs for themselves - such as the save and store screen piccy
facility, the 'pause' programme facility, the 'zoom' x2 to x8
with user selectable centering/steering facility etc etc etc...

Oh ..and the power supply suits most mains supplies around
the world.. so you can take the little box anywhere, dish
on back, just like a Ninja Turtle if you so wish...

I trust that just about covers it ..as I said, just what
did you all think you were expecting from a little box of
tricks that costs a mere 39.99gbp! ;))

..btw, I know it's satellite - but for the purists - it is
also a DVB...

..and yes, I've been using it, (the SL65), flawlessly for
a couple of years or more now...

hope that covers most of the bases. The rest, for those
still interested, can be found out, Monday am, at your
local LiDL - or as and when LiDL make the next offer...

hh... :))

Bill ZFC

--
Adoption InterLink UK with -=- http://www.billsimpson.com/
Domain Host Orpheus Internet -=- http://www.orpheusinternet.co.uk/

Paul D

2006-08-24 15:53:26 UTC

Post by Paul D
One thing I forgot to ask - does this receiver have an on board
timer, like the Skybox 'Autoview', which enables the user to
programme a channel change
at a certain time so that it can be used in conjunction with an
external recorder?

<snip>

Brilliant!

Thanks for publishing the full spec too.

I was going to buy it with the 85cm dish and single LNB, then have it
trained on Hotbird 13E. I note however that the software updates come via
Astra 1 19E, so having found a good bargain on dual LNBs (25.00 at
Falconsat) I think I'll splash out on one so I can have a permanent feed of
both satellites.

Bill (Adopt)

2006-08-25 01:35:00 UTC

<snip>
Brilliant!
Thanks for publishing the full spec too.
I was going to buy it with the 85cm dish and single LNB, then have it
trained on Hotbird 13E. I note however that the software updates come via
Astra 1 19E, so having found a good bargain on dual LNBs (25.00 at
Falconsat) I think I'll splash out on one so I can have a permanent feed of
both satellites.

I'm tempted to suggest that, alongside the useful 85cm
dish (complete with wall braket) that you wisely intend
to purchase, you might care to try the 59.99gbp inclusive
kit as well, rather than the 39.99gbp individual box - as
the kit LNB might just be all that you need - remember,
the 'dual/twin' descriptions can be lost in translation
- it is, after all, a German Product. (The dish may not
need additional take-offs as the SL65 already has a variety
of such onboard)...

...for, if the kit's Universal Twin LNB does accept a twin
satellite input, then you may smile at having saved 5.00gbp.
If not, then lash out on your 25.00gbp dual Falconsat LNB
replacement, when funds permit.. (you will not have to do
any dish retraining from Astra ..Hotbird is accessed quite
automatically - or the other way around, if that's your
initial setup)...

...in any case, you will end up with an additional 57cm
dish + mount, a digital (analogue) satellite audio beep
and visual locator, as well as an inclusive 20 metres plus
of quality cabling together with a complete set of
F-connectors and silicon rubber seals - all of which you
might well need anyway (and which probably will cost near
enough a Maplin 20.00gbp extra) - as well as having the now
spare, new if albeit single, (if it is), quality LNB to hang
onto yet another box in the not too distant future...

Just a thought.. ;))

Bill ZFC

--
Adoption InterLink UK with -=- http://www.billsimpson.com/
Domain Host Orpheus Internet -=- http://www.orpheusinternet.co.uk/

Paul D

2006-08-25 10:55:58 UTC

<snip>
Brilliant!
Thanks for publishing the full spec too.
I was going to buy it with the 85cm dish and single LNB, then have it
trained on Hotbird 13E. I note however that the software updates
come via Astra 1 19E, so having found a good bargain on dual LNBs
(25.00 at Falconsat) I think I'll splash out on one so I can have a
permanent feed of both satellites.

I'm tempted to suggest that, alongside the useful 85cm
dish (complete with wall braket) that you wisely intend
to purchase, you might care to try the 59.99gbp inclusive
kit as well, rather than the 39.99gbp individual box - as
the kit LNB might just be all that you need - remember,
the 'dual/twin' descriptions can be lost in translation
- it is, after all, a German Product. (The dish may not
need additional take-offs as the SL65 already has a variety
of such onboard)...
...for, if the kit's Universal Twin LNB does accept a twin
satellite input, then you may smile at having saved 5.00gbp.
If not, then lash out on your 25.00gbp dual Falconsat LNB
replacement, when funds permit.. (you will not have to do
any dish retraining from Astra ..Hotbird is accessed quite
automatically - or the other way around, if that's your
initial setup)...
...in any case, you will end up with an additional 57cm
dish + mount, a digital (analogue) satellite audio beep
and visual locator, as well as an inclusive 20 metres plus
of quality cabling together with a complete set of
F-connectors and silicon rubber seals - all of which you
might well need anyway (and which probably will cost near
enough a Maplin 20.00gbp extra) - as well as having the now
spare, new if albeit single, (if it is), quality LNB to hang
onto yet another box in the not too distant future...
Just a thought.. ;))
Bill ZFC

Good idea Bill!

I was browsing various satellite websites last night and I'm getting more
and more interested in the whole thing. I was pleasantly surprised at how
well-priced dish motors are, so another scheme I thought of was this: buy a
pre-configured motorised dish kit (typical price for 80cm dish plus motor
and all mounting parts is around 70 pounds) and use the dish kit with the
SL65. This would give me a fully motorised setup with a good sized dish for
110 pounds!

I could probably bring that price down to around 100 pounds by buying the
Lidl 85cm dish and then buying a motor and other bits separately, but by
buying the motorised dish kit from one supplier at least I know it will all
work together.

If I bought the SL65 I'd get the kit for 59.99 as you suggest.

Bill (Adopt)

2006-08-25 13:20:03 UTC

In article <2HAHg.8574$***@text.news.blueyonder.co.uk>,
Paul D <***@whiskey.com> wrote:

..snips..

Post by Bill (Adopt)
...in any case, you will end up with an additional 57cm
dish + mount, a digital (analogue) satellite audio beep
and visual locator, as well as an inclusive 20 metres plus
of quality cabling together with a complete set of
F-connectors and silicon rubber seals - all of which you
might well need anyway (and which probably will cost near
enough a Maplin 20.00gbp extra) - as well as having the now
spare, new if albeit single, (if it is), quality LNB to hang
onto yet another box in the not too distant future...

Good idea Bill!

Thank you :))

Post by Paul D
I was browsing various satellite websites last night and I'm getting more
and more interested in the whole thing. I was pleasantly surprised at how
well-priced dish motors are, so another scheme I thought of was this: buy a
pre-configured motorised dish kit (typical price for 80cm dish plus motor
and all mounting parts is around 70 pounds) and use the dish kit with the
SL65. This would give me a fully motorised setup with a good sized dish for
110 pounds!

Yes ..I've a friend who's presently doing the same thing.
The dish is the same as the LiDL dish and the motor,
(perhaps Chinese), is a really solid, quiet and useful
looking affair.

Unfortunately the box, a German Lemon(!), isn't anywhere
near as well-sorted as the SL65. It certainly doesn't
have USALS - or, if it does, it's stuck in some really
inaccessible menu that we haven't been able to get at!

Sort of defeats the whole purpose when you have to manually
tell the thing to move to the satellite of your choice...
..still, 'nuff said. LiDL's SL65 seems to be a breeze in
comparison - unless anyone has had other experiences... :)))

Post by Paul D
I could probably bring that price down to around 100 pounds by buying the
Lidl 85cm dish and then buying a motor and other bits separately, but by
buying the motorised dish kit from one supplier at least I know it will all
work together.

Not enough experience here, (how did you guess!), for
me to make any judgements about 'pre-configured' satellite
dish motors et al.

The 'pre-configured' bit sounds as if it's for people
who already have (usually expensive) boxes bought a
few short years ago, that don't have the benenfit of
USALS or Technomate's 'Blind Search' facility on board.

Their box can move the dish - but there's no facility
to update that part of the box's (hardwired?) software.

Nowadays, it's normally the box that has all the software
onboard to generate all the movements of the dish ..at
least at the level we're talking about. You centre your
motor on the (perpendicular, or else!), mounting pole -
your dish aligned on the motor shaft and, Hey Presto!..
with a LiDL bit of luck, things will happen!

It's through the box that you tell your dish the latitude
and longitude - to 0.1 or finer decimal - where you are on
the planet - and then which satellite it is pointing at.

With luck - and USALS (or even 'GoToX'), it will then work
out where everything is for you - and move things auto
when you order it to by selecting another channel...

You will probably have to set your East and West limits,
so that you don't knock-off your neighbours chimney pot,
or stick the LNB arm up Dick van Dyke doing a, 'Bedknobs
and Broomsticks' impression just outside your window.. ;))

Post by Paul D
If I bought the SL65 I'd get the kit for 59.99 as you suggest.

Difficult to know, really - but ..whatever.. get down to
your local LiDL /early/, grab a trolley and jam it up
against the entrance door so that you're in first - the
rush to the stack can be just like Harrods New Year Sale!

Grab /everything/ first - and then work out what you
really need in a quiet corner. Only then approach the
check-out!

..btw.. 'early' mean really, really early. At our LiDL
here we've had queues of 200/300 pensioners, (I am one
of them for my LiDL satellite bits - and other desirable
excellent quality/value goodies), almost an hour before
the store opening time - remember, this is a Bank Holiday
weekend ..just like the very same New Year Sales...

Perhaps quietly reconnoitre your local store near closing
time on Sunday before anyone knows what you're up to...

..it all adds to the fun ..and to the excitement of
anticipation!

..good luck! :))

Bill ZFC

--
Adoption InterLink UK with -=- http://www.billsimpson.com/
Domain Host Orpheus Internet -=- http://www.orpheusinternet.co.uk/

Stephen Clarke

2006-08-26 18:58:05 UTC

Post by Bill (Adopt)
OK ..to try and avoid immediate questions and for any
[...]
TV scart with CVBS, RGB and YUV...

RGB SCART ? How do you enable it ?

There's nothing that I can see on my box (it's an
SL 65/12 - the one that comes with the Lidl camping
satellite system). It was my one and only grumble
about it, and a very minor one at that.

Steve.

Bill (Adopt)

2006-08-27 02:04:18 UTC

[..]

Post by Bill (Adopt)
TV scart with CVBS, RGB and YUV...

RGB SCART ? How do you enable it ?
There's nothing that I can see on my box (it's an SL 65/12 - the one that
comes with the Lidl camping satellite system). It was my one and only
grumble about it, and a very minor one at that.

On mine which, as a SL65 I thought was the same, I key
into the various multi-layered menus by pressing:

-Menu..
-System Configuration..
-System Setup..
-TV..
-Video Output..

finally selecting from
-CVBS, RGB or YCbCr

..and remembering to press the central 'OK' button to
update and store the newly selected setting, followed
by a couple of presses on the exit key to get back to
the channel presently on screen...

..at least that's what happens here ..I guess.. ?:))

(There's also a 'video out' alongside the analogue L/R
jacks together with an s-vhs connection, as well as
digital coaxial and digital optical sound out)..

..hh.. :))

Bill ZFC

--
Adoption InterLink UK with -=- http://www.billsimpson.com/
Domain Host Orpheus Internet -=- http://www.orpheusinternet.co.uk/

Stephen Clarke

2006-08-27 21:27:36 UTC

Post by Bill (Adopt)
[..]

Post by Bill (Adopt)
TV scart with CVBS, RGB and YUV...

RGB SCART ? How do you enable it ?

On mine which, as a SL65 I thought was the same, I key
-Menu..
-System Configuration..
-System Setup..
-TV..
-Video Output..
[...]
(There's also a 'video out' alongside the analogue L/R
jacks together with an s-vhs connection, as well as
digital coaxial and digital optical sound out)..

Hum - interesting. I also checked out the SL65 manual
on the comag-ag.de web site.

It seems that the SL65/12 (which I got with the Lidl
Camping Satellite System) is something of a cut
down SL65. It's physically smaller, and lacks some of the
video outputs: no RGB on the SCART, and no RCA video, s-vhs
or digital coaxial outputs. Only three buttons on the
front, too.

Steve.

Bill (Adopt)

2006-08-28 00:15:48 UTC

[..]

Post by Bill (Adopt)
(There's also a 'video out' alongside the analogue L/R
jacks together with an s-vhs connection, as well as
digital coaxial and digital optical sound out)..

Hum - interesting. I also checked out the SL65 manual
on the comag-ag.de web site.
It seems that the SL65/12 (which I got with the Lidl
Camping Satellite System) is something of a cut
down SL65. It's physically smaller, and lacks some of the
video outputs: no RGB on the SCART, and no RCA video, s-vhs
or digital coaxial outputs. Only three buttons on the
front, too.

[..]

Post by Bill (Adopt)
(There's also a 'video out' alongside the analogue L/R
jacks together with an s-vhs connection, as well as
digital coaxial and digital optical sound out)..

Hum - interesting. I also checked out the SL65 manual on the
comag-ag.de
web site.
It seems that the SL65/12 (which I got with the Lidl Camping
Satellite
System) is something of a cut down SL65. It's physically
smaller, and
lacks some of the video outputs: no RGB on the SCART, and no
RCA video,
s-vhs or digital coaxial outputs. Only three buttons on the
front, too.

The lack of RGB on your box is explained! Your SL65/12
must be really quite tiny as the SL65 is only about the
size of normal library book anyway...

I believe, (from the printed sales leaflets), that the
box on sale at LiDL a few hours from now, both as a
separate unit and as part of the kit, is the 'full'
spec'd/sized SL65. The sales piccies show it with six
buttons on the front with a seventh power button

It would be as well for purchasers to physically check that
it also has the outlets they require.

..as said earlier - grab /all/ the bits first, find a quiet
corner, edge of aisle or whatever ..and view, /before/ joining
the queue at the check-out. Unless very lucky, it'll be too
late to 'go around again' if somethings been missed. Mind,
there's always next year! ;))

Thanks for the timely comment, Stephen.. :))

Bill ZFC

--
Adoption InterLink UK with -=- http://www.billsimpson.com/
Domain Host Orpheus Internet -=- http://www.orpheusinternet.co.uk/

Bill (Adopt)

2006-08-28 00:23:00 UTC

[..]

Post by Bill (Adopt)
(There's also a 'video out' alongside the analogue L/R
jacks together with an s-vhs connection, as well as
digital coaxial and digital optical sound out)..

Hum - interesting. I also checked out the SL65 manual on the
comag-ag.de
web site.
It seems that the SL65/12 (which I got with the Lidl Camping
Satellite
System) is something of a cut down SL65. It's physically
smaller, and
lacks some of the video outputs: no RGB on the SCART, and no
RCA video,
s-vhs or digital coaxial outputs. Only three buttons on the
front, too.

The lack of RGB on your box is explained!

Your SL65/12 must be really quitetiny as the SL65 is only
about the size of normal library book anyway...

I believe, (from the printed sales leaflets), that the box
on sale at LiDL afew hours from now, both as a separate unit
and as part of the kit, is the 'full' spec'd/sized SL65.
The sales piccies show it with six buttons onthe front with
a seventh power button.

It would be as well for purchasers to physically check that
it also has the outlets they require.

..as said earlier - grab /all/ the bits first, find a quiet
corner, edge ofaisle or whatever ..and view, /before/ joining
the queue at the check-out.

Unless very lucky, it'll be too late to 'go around again' if
somethings been missed. Mind, there's always next year! ;))

Thanks for the timely comment, Stephen.. :))

Bill ZFC

--
Adoption InterLink UK with -=- http://www.billsimpson.com/
Domain Host Orpheus Internet -=- http://www.orpheusinternet.co.uk/

Paul D

2006-08-29 16:32:14 UTC

Post by Bill (Adopt)
[..]

Post by Bill (Adopt)
(There's also a 'video out' alongside the analogue L/R
jacks together with an s-vhs connection, as well as
digital coaxial and digital optical sound out)..

Hum - interesting. I also checked out the SL65 manual on the
comag-ag.de
web site.
It seems that the SL65/12 (which I got with the Lidl Camping
Satellite
System) is something of a cut down SL65. It's physically
smaller, and
lacks some of the video outputs: no RGB on the SCART, and no
RCA video,
s-vhs or digital coaxial outputs. Only three buttons on the
front, too.

The lack of RGB on your box is explained!
Your SL65/12 must be really quitetiny as the SL65 is only
about the size of normal library book anyway...
I believe, (from the printed sales leaflets), that the box
on sale at LiDL afew hours from now, both as a separate unit
and as part of the kit, is the 'full' spec'd/sized SL65.
The sales piccies show it with six buttons onthe front with
a seventh power button.
It would be as well for purchasers to physically check that
it also has the outlets they require.
..as said earlier - grab /all/ the bits first, find a quiet
corner, edge ofaisle or whatever ..and view, /before/ joining
the queue at the check-out.
Unless very lucky, it'll be too late to 'go around again' if
somethings been missed. Mind, there's always next year! ;))
Thanks for the timely comment, Stephen.. :))
Bill ZFC

Bill, just to let you know re. the Lidl gear, given your help over the last
few days -

on doing my research I got more and more into the idea of CAMs, patching etc
so I decided to spend a bit more and get a more sophisticated receiver such
as a Technomate 1500. However, my brother, who is less of an anorak and was
looking for something purely to lock on to Hotbird (he has a European wife
and wanted some FTA foreign channels) has bought the SL65/85cm dish and LNB
and he's very happy!

Once again, thanks for the help. I wonder if anyone else braved the Lidl
rush yesterday?

Eddie G0EHV

2006-08-29 17:03:34 UTC

Post by Bill (Adopt)
[..]
Unless very lucky, it'll be too late to 'go around again' if
somethings been missed. Mind, there's always next year! ;))
Thanks for the timely comment, Stephen.. :))
Bill ZFC

Bill, just to let you know re. the Lidl gear, given your help over the
last few days -
on doing my research I got more and more into the idea of CAMs, patching
etc so I decided to spend a bit more and get a more sophisticated receiver
such as a Technomate 1500. However, my brother, who is less of an anorak
and was looking for something purely to lock on to Hotbird (he has a
European wife and wanted some FTA foreign channels) has bought the
SL65/85cm dish and LNB and he's very happy!
Once again, thanks for the help. I wonder if anyone else braved the Lidl
rush yesterday?

I went today, Tuesday, to my local shop.
Nowt left but 1 bracket and a pile of sat finders.
Well pleased though, got all I went in for - a bracket and a sat finder!
Regards,
Eddie

Bob Martin

2006-08-30 08:50:11 UTC

Post by Eddie G0EHV

Post by Paul D
Once again, thanks for the help. I wonder if anyone else braved the Lidl
rush yesterday?

I went today, Tuesday, to my local shop.
Nowt left but 1 bracket and a pile of sat finders.
Well pleased though, got all I went in for - a bracket and a sat finder!
Regards,
Eddie

I was there at 0906 on Monday morning and was almost the only person in the shop.
Piles of DVD players and all the satellite gear.

James Hart

2006-08-30 18:59:33 UTC

Post by Bob Martin

Post by Eddie G0EHV

Post by Paul D
Once again, thanks for the help. I wonder if anyone else braved the
Lidl rush yesterday?

I went today, Tuesday, to my local shop.
Nowt left but 1 bracket and a pile of sat finders.
Well pleased though, got all I went in for - a bracket and a sat
finder! Regards,
Eddie

I was there at 0906 on Monday morning and was almost the only person
in the shop. Piles of DVD players and all the satellite gear.

Lidl are now selling cheap flights! £19 each way including taxes. Strange
but true.

Bill (Adopt)

2006-08-30 01:52:13 UTC

Post by Bill (Adopt)
I believe, (from the printed sales leaflets), that the box
on sale at LiDL afew hours from now, both as a separate unit
and as part of the kit, is the 'full' spec'd/sized SL65.
The sales piccies show it with six buttons onthe front with
a seventh power button.
It would be as well for purchasers to physically check that
it also has the outlets they require.
..as said earlier - grab /all/ the bits first, find a quiet
corner, edge ofaisle or whatever ..and view, /before/ joining
the queue at the check-out.
Unless very lucky, it'll be too late to 'go around again' if
somethings been missed. Mind, there's always next year! ;))
Thanks for the timely comment, Stephen.. :))
Bill ZFC

Great! Dunno about the /more/ sophisticated, though -
perhaps another quality DVB-S, albeit with other
facilities enabled... ;))

With the Technomate I think many (most) pundits seem to
reckon that you have, or will have, another type of really
excellent receiver, one that can also access your choice of
the encrypted channels available and 'out there'. If it's
what you want, then the extra cost to you will be more than
worth it. The Technomate series have consistently won major
awards - over other, far more expensive, DVB-S boxes :))

Post by Paul D
However, my brother, who is less of an anorak and was
looking for something purely to lock on to Hotbird (he has a
European wife
and wanted some FTA foreign channels) has bought the SL65/85cm
dish and LNB
and he's very happy!

OK! Seeing as I already have a LiDL SL65 and, as a pensioner,
couldn't really justify yet another just at the moment even if
I could put it to good use, I arrived in our local city's Maplins
this afternoon looking for some silver electroconductive paint.
(They had some - 3ml for 6.99 - and a stick pen of the stuff
at 21.99gbp.. ouch! ..but that's another thread)...

To the point ..noticed in passing that they also, for the first
time, had a small selection of satellite bits and pieces, including
similar kits to those on sale in LiDL, plus a range of single,
double, duals etc LNBs, with assorted support equipment, cabling
etc - although at prices somewhat greater than the immediate sale
prices at LiDL..

Picked up a STAB-USALS H-H90 motor, (suitable for a dish of
up to 95cm), for 49.99gbp. They had others - even larger -
on display as well. If I'm correct - and the SL65's menus
strongly suggest I may be (1) - this motor will enable my dish
to tour the heavens. Well, at least it's another method of
garnering freebie channels and feeds from around the World!

(1) At least my SL65, on entering my latitude and longitude
in the USALS menu whilst pointing at Hotbird 13E, asked me
to wait whilst it searched for AMOS whatever at wherever!
Perhaps there's a surprised bird that's discovered it's perch
isn't as secure as it thought - or I've gone and blown the box
up, or summat.. I might have to join you yet with a Technomate
- as LiDL have probably run out of SL65s by now... ;))

I'll let you know what happens in a couple of days once I've
got the thing mantled, mounted and, hopefully, pointing
automatically in all the 'right' directions.. :))

Post by Paul D
Once again, thanks for the help. I wonder if anyone else braved the Lidl
rush yesterday?

Glad to have added to the discussion :)) - and yes! ..there
were quite a number buying at our local store. Nothing left
on the shelving when I decamped with my loaf of bread and tin
of posh German(?) herrings.. ;))

Cheers...

Bill ZFC

--
Adoption InterLink UK with -=- http://www.billsimpson.com/
Domain Host Orpheus Internet -=- http://www.orpheusinternet.co.uk/

Paul D

2006-08-30 09:13:07 UTC

<snip>

Post by Bill (Adopt)
I'll let you know what happens in a couple of days once I've
got the thing mantled, mounted and, hopefully, pointing
automatically in all the 'right' directions.. :))

It'll be interesting to hear about your motorisation exploits!

Paul D

2006-09-22 20:36:52 UTC

<snip>

Post by Bill (Adopt)
(1) At least my SL65, on entering my latitude and longitude
in the USALS menu whilst pointing at Hotbird 13E, asked me
to wait whilst it searched for AMOS whatever at wherever!
Perhaps there's a surprised bird that's discovered it's perch
isn't as secure as it thought - or I've gone and blown the box
up, or summat.. I might have to join you yet with a Technomate
- as LiDL have probably run out of SL65s by now... ;))
I'll let you know what happens in a couple of days once I've
got the thing mantled, mounted and, hopefully, pointing
automatically in all the 'right' directions.. :))

Bill, just curious - have you managed to motorise your dish successfully,
and if so how does it work with the SL65?

Bill (Adopt)

2006-09-24 04:08:37 UTC

Post by Paul D
<snip>

Bill, just curious - have you managed to motorise your dish successfully,
and if so how does it work with the SL65?

Not yet!

As I mentioned, picked up the Stab HH90 very cheaply from
Maplins, only to find that, from each of two respected
satellite equipment manufacturers and/or installers, the HH90
as a motor is /not/ recommended!

..although, it should be said, that Stab's HH100 and HH120
are perfectly OK - and seemingly the 'quality' end of the
market.

In the event, the HH90 - which didn't work from the outset,
(didn't seem to know where it was going - and mostly sat
and 'shivered' at zero for the few hours we attempted to
work it), is now back with Maplin's for their assessment -
and my refund! Will then invest in a different motor - and
this time one that works, hopefully.

It should, however, be noted that Matt and particularly
Ryan of Myers Sat, www.myerssat.com, have been particularly
helpful - especially Ryan who, knowing that I am not yet a
customer of theirs, was prepared to 'telephone' test the
SL65/HH90 with me helping me to arrive at the increasingly
obvious conclusion that it was the HH90 unit that was faulted
- backed up by later observation that both my friend's latest
SL65 (which didn't work with my HH90 either) and my year or
so old SL65 worked well on said friend's new motorised setup.

(Incidentally, the SL65 appears to be held in very high
techie regard - sort of backed up by the more limited budget
camping SL65/12's leading rating as published in "What Satellite"
this last month).

However - and following these trial/tests with said friend (who
is, by the by, also a recently retired TV Engineer) and his
brand new SL65 which together with my SL65 that has not had,
as yet, any recent software update), we do believe that:

The SL65's USALS is 'good'. Simple to use. Set motor
on perpendicular pole/mount (very, very important for it
to be precisely perpendicular) - start off pointing directly
at/to true south, (here, in the northern hemisphere); motor to
the nearest satellite to true south - I believe recommended to
be Thor/Intel at 1W and ....make the coffee and get the
popcorn/biccies ready! The rest of the satellites should
come in automatically once their 'Edit Satellite' menus have
had their individual DiSEqC choice also set to 'Motor'.

A USALS menu, of course, also needs a User's Latitude and
Longitude - to either one or two decimals - easily gained
from www.multimap.com, among many other calculators. You
will also need the dish elevation for your location - but
this, I gather, varies a little according to the particular
motor that one is intending to use. Full instructions should
come with the motor.

(Using DiSEqC 1.2, however, appears to be as difficult and
cumbersome as it is with any other motor - a mathematical
lexicon combined with a degree in kindergarten astronomical
theory and poo-pile avoidance would, I guess, be an advantage)!

One thought - yet to be tested in my case - is that it could
be helpful to set your motorised channel menus to be sorted
on 'satellite', rather than 'channel' or anything else. Means
that within a band all your channels will be consecutively
renumbered for that satellite - the next band for the next
satellite ..and so on. This will help prevent making a channel
choice and having the dish flailing around the horizon - with,
possibly, the motor count becoming confused in the process.

So, Paul ..and anyone else who's interested ..it'll be a
couple of weeks yet until I get it all sorted out - but I'm
not presently expecting any further problem ..um.. !;'))

Incidentally, just to add to info, Tony Denyer - the GM (UK)
of Comag Handels Ag and the manufacturer/distributor of the
various flavours of LiDL's (Comag) SL65, recommends the use
of a Metronic's Sat Motor, among others, which he understands
works well with the SL65.

Incidentally - and following a comment read elsewhere - I do
believe the SL65, with it's 350ma power output - and with a
consumption of around 180ma continuous and even less in stand-by,
is electronically well up to the requirements of any motorised
setup. It has the same output, in this respect, as any other
receiver on the market that uses single cable USALS/DiSEqC rather
than a full-blown (and expensive) 36v multicable ram-arm positioner...

Trust this covers it all to date - and that the info is useful.

I would, however, like to know if there's anywhere that archives
some info on satellite dishes. (Hard to find in Google)! Many,
perhaps most, consumer dishes are, these days, offset rather
than the large Goonhilly Down/Jodrell Bank type 'polar'(?) mounts.

Although with the latest dishes this 'offset' is already taken
into account when judging the elevation from the 'protractor'
at the rear of the mount - with some earlier dishes one had to
'subtract' the offset - the mount protractor not necessarily
allowing for it. I'm not sure what my 3yr old 85cm, (yes 82/85cm)
LiDL dish coresponds to. Although not a problem, just makes it
easier in the initial setup...

hh :))

Bill ZFC

--
Adoption InterLink UK with -=- http://www.billsimpson.com/
Domain Host Orpheus Internet -=- http://www.orpheusinternet.co.uk/

Paul D

2006-09-24 10:06:37 UTC

<snip>

Post by Paul D
Bill, just curious - have you managed to motorise your dish
successfully, and if so how does it work with the SL65?

<snip>

Post by Bill (Adopt)
I would, however, like to know if there's anywhere that archives
some info on satellite dishes. (Hard to find in Google)! Many,
perhaps most, consumer dishes are, these days, offset rather
than the large Goonhilly Down/Jodrell Bank type 'polar'(?) mounts.
Although with the latest dishes this 'offset' is already taken
into account when judging the elevation from the 'protractor'
at the rear of the mount - with some earlier dishes one had to
'subtract' the offset - the mount protractor not necessarily
allowing for it. I'm not sure what my 3yr old 85cm, (yes 82/85cm)
LiDL dish coresponds to. Although not a problem, just makes it
easier in the initial setup...

Thanks Bill. Pity the HH90 didn't cut the mustard. It will be interesting to
know how the motorisation goes when you finally get a decent motor
installed.

Regarding your other query, you could try posting it on another newsgroup -
alt.satellite.tv.europe

There are some knowledgable people on there, and also with your knowledge
I'm sure you could help others.

I know I previously mentioned that I'd changed my mind and wanted to get a
Technomate 1500, but given the good reputation of the SL65 and the fact that
my brother bought one and really likes it, I think I'll get one too.

I don't think I'm going to have the need (or the time) to watch loads of
subscription TV from abroad, so a good FTA system is all I really need. How
often do Lidl have their sales? If it's infrequent I guess a trip to Maplins
would be in order - they have the same box I believe, albeit a little more
expensive.

Bill (Adopt)

2006-09-24 12:08:55 UTC

[..]

Post by Bill (Adopt)
As I mentioned, picked up the Stab HH90 very cheaply from
Maplins, only to find that, from each of two respected
satellite equipment manufacturers and/or installers, the HH90
as a motor is /not/ recommended!

[..]

Post by Bill (Adopt)
allowing for it. I'm not sure what my 3yr old 85cm, (yes 82/85cm)
LiDL dish coresponds to......

Thanks Bill. Pity the HH90 didn't cut the mustard. It will be
interesting to
know how the motorisation goes when you finally get a decent motor
installed.

Won't be too long! Just waiting on Maplin's reply to
my rejection of the Stab HH90, before investing in
something else. Being a pensioner - <hat is held
out with violin playing sorrowfully> - and following a
successful heart operation but needing continual meds
to keep the beast pumping, I'm not too steady on ladders.
(Come to think of it, I was never any good on ladders
anyway)! Result is I have to wait for assistance before
mounting motors, dishes etc. and therefore had to forgo
Maplin's 14 day immediate exchange policy for their
more leisurely back-at-base assessment etc policy.
Consumer Standards say that's acceptable - but want to
know the outcome in this particular case of a motor
that was never fully installed...

Needless to say, I may have some reservations about
using Maplins in the future - depending on the quality
of service - which, frankly, has been and is much better
at most of the emporiums I frequent...

Post by Paul D
Regarding your other query, you could try posting it on another newsgroup -
alt.satellite.tv.europe

Thank you! I hadn't thought of that ..didn't even think
about it... Will consider - but it takes a good year of
reading and tentative posting before even wary acceptance
is the norm. It's taken a couple or more years listing the
gentle and authoritative alt.coffee and even now - with
the purchase of a major industrial grinder and a Gaggia
machine to go with it, my very much junior hanger
on coat tail comments are only almost accepted by a few!

One wonders! ;))

Post by Paul D
There are some knowledgable people on there, and also with your knowledge
I'm sure you could help others.

Nice of you to say so, Paul ..although I daresay my
lads will make sure that I'm cut down to size. They
are grand 'Dad' levellers! ;))

Post by Paul D
I know I previously mentioned that I'd changed my mind and
wanted to get a
Technomate 1500, but given the good reputation of the SL65 and
the fact that
my brother bought one and really likes it, I think I'll get one too.
I don't think I'm going to have the need (or the time) to watch loads of
subscription TV from abroad, so a good FTA system is all I really need.

Yes - the model that you may be interested in - and the
one I guess that is most like LiDL's SL65, could be the
Technomate 1000D. It's on Myers' site and costs around
74.00gbp (+vat and +p&p)??

Apart from being purely FTA, it has certain useful features
such as 'blind search', where a satellite group may be
searched for TPs and channels at all symbol rates etc, rather
than manually three at a time as done with the much cheaper
SL65.

The Technomate 1000D is also labelled as a Stab-USALS. One
gets the impression that Myers (and Technomate?) have a genuine
admiration, by the way, for the LiDL SL65, where they perhaps
don't for many much more expensive offerings. (Technomate seem
to have walked away with most of the annual prizes for the last
few years)!

Post by Paul D
How
often do Lidl have their sales? If it's infrequent

Dunno - it tends to vary according to region - but,
unless there are any boxes left, then LiDL will be
unlikely to have anything to hand until the next
offering - perhaps next year - (but see below.. Comag UK
might just have the odd spare box hanging around, if
they are prepared to or can contractually sell directly
to an end user)..

[..]

Post by Paul D
I guess a trip to Maplins would be in order -

Maplin's, although useful to many, may not be your best
port of call at the moment. They are only just entering
the satellite market with a visibly cheapy kit, even if
it's a little expensive compared to LiDL's similar cut down
camping version.

By the way - I'm informed by LiDL's customer service that
they call themselves Leeedl, rather than Liddle! Just a
thought.. ;'))

At the price, (dunno what Maplin's version is outside of
Maplins 100.00++gbp kit), but you could be better off
investing just a little more and going directly for an FTA
Technomate 1000D from Myers.

I'd guess that should you need it, then the telephone
support and immediate help from real and understandable
techies may be well worth that extra. :))

As said earlier, as far as LiDL/Comag's SL65 goes, Tony Denyer
is the UK General Manager of Comag Handel AG. I dunno how he
rates his details being spread around the net - so I'll forward
these to you privately, assuming no objection...

You may like to email him and see if he has anything
wobbling around on a dark corner shelf, just waiting
for a caring owner.. ;)) (He's also a very helpful person
as well) - but make your email subject header an obvious
interested party one, otherwise it could go the way of spam...

[..]

Post by Paul D
they have the same box I believe, albeit a little more
expensive.

Looking at it, it doesn't appear to be the full spec'd SL65.
It's the 'camping' or 'cut down' version ..as sold with LiDL's
portable kit. That may, for you, be as good - although it's
unlikely to have things like RGB or YUV output or, perhaps,
the range of digital sound outputs. Otherwise, I guess it is
as good as the main SL65. (It's a pity that the model numbers
aren't more specific)...

The Maplin cost, even with kit and 57cm dish is, I believe,
around 60pc to 70pc greater than LiDL's offering.

Can't think of anything else - except that, for those still
reading, all the boxes mentioned are DVB, or rather, DVB-S -
so they count amongst the ranks of interesting things for
digital tv'ers!

hh :))

Bill ZFC

--
Adoption InterLink UK with -=- http://www.billsimpson.com/
Domain Host Orpheus Internet -=- http://www.orpheusinternet.co.uk/

Paul D

2006-09-25 11:01:47 UTC

Bill (Adopt) wrote:

<snip>

Thanks for all the tips! Myers sounds a better bet to deal with than
Maplin - I'm always happy tp pay a bit more for customer service, especially
after the sale. The Technomate 1000D is a good idea if no SL65s are
available. Don't worry about passing on the Comag guy's email, I'll just
keep my eye on the net for future Lidl sales.

Regarding that satellite newsgroup - as long as you've checked Google Groups
to see if your query hasn't already been covered in the recent past you'll
be fine. People are helpful, especially a chap called 'Jomtiem'.

Bill (Adopt)

2006-09-27 00:19:38 UTC

Post by Paul D
<snip>
Thanks for all the tips! Myers sounds a better bet to deal with than
Maplin - I'm always happy tp pay a bit more for customer service, especially
after the sale. The Technomate 1000D is a good idea if no SL65s are
available. Don't worry about passing on the Comag guy's email, I'll just
keep my eye on the net for future Lidl sales.
Regarding that satellite newsgroup - as long as you've checked Google Groups
to see if your query hasn't already been covered in the recent past you'll
be fine. People are helpful, especially a chap called 'Jomtiem'.

Thanks, Paul. I've come across Jomtiem's writings in
other groups - mostly to with dvd recorders and suchlike.

I'll let you and anyone else that might have been interested
in our conversation know about the motor outcome - when it
happens. ...or is that whenever it might happen.. ;))

I did get info about the three year old LiDL 80cm (85cm) dish
yesterday, immediately after logging in - via 'www.ask.com'.
Obvious, really.. :)) Still didn't really answer my question,
but did show that I'm by no means the only one with the same
question, even if it remains a not very important one in a
USALS scenario!

Thank you for your helpful pointers.. :))

Bill ZFC...
(The 'other' one from the 'Zimmer Frame Club').. >0:))

..now ..a prayer to Ra, the true southern sun god, in the
shadow of the neighbour's fence post at 12h.00 GMT.. ;))

--
Adoption InterLink UK with -=- http://www.billsimpson.com/
Domain Host Orpheus Internet -=- http://www.orpheusinternet.co.uk/

Bill (Adopt)

2006-11-08 15:00:36 UTC

Post by Paul D
<snip>

Post by Paul D
Bill, just curious - have you managed to motorise your dish
successfully, and if so how does it work with the SL65?

[..]

Post by Paul D
Thanks Bill. Pity the HH90 didn't cut the mustard. It will be
interesting to know how the motorisation goes when you finally
get a decent motor installed.

OK... this is a belated bit of catchup for any who are
still interested... (References to earlier articles
should be above, somewhere)...

Maplin's - bless their little cotton socks - came up
with the goods and refunded the non-working Stab motor.
This I replaced immediately with the other motor held
in stock by Maplin ..the Metronic Horizon to Horizon
motor, ref: 450907. (Although listed by Maplin as
suitable for dishes up to 1000mm - one metre - it's box
clearly states that it can be used for dishes of 1.2m
..so I guess an 82/85cm dish is well within capacity)...

In the event the whole - using the discrete USALS menu
that comes installed in the SL65's firmware - was a bit
of a non-event.. :)) Believe me, the setup could have
been installed in around 30 minutes or less, from start
to finish - and after a few weeks, is presently operating
very correctly..

..from the far easterly NSS 703 at 57E, (NKTV - the just
started and first-time Nepalese TV?? ...and in English,
no less!), to the number of East Russian quality channels
as found on Express AM22's 53E), to the far Atlantic
position of Cuba TV's - (and Ecuador's(?) Channel 5),
beamcast from PAS 9 at 58W...

This is about as Horizon to Horizon as it can get with a
smaller 82cm dish! Oh yes ..and not to forget all the
satellites littering the heavens between 57E and 58W... :))

..but ..to the nitty gritty - and starting at the start.
Writing this will take longer than the 'real-life'
installation actually took!

1. Read Bill Wright's excellent article warning
about aerial (take that as including dish)
installation horrors! Taking note of same.... ;))

Using a south facing wall - and having previously marked
out true south - using the shadow of the midday (12h00 GMT)
sun marked permanently on the path below. (Note, the
direction of true south will change slightly depending on
where you are located ..and it's /not/ the same as magnetic
south - although very near to it)...

2. ...mount installed and checked that it was
indeed a /very/ accurate perpendicular ..that
is, absoutely vertical to the ground in all
'directions'.

Although not needed, plenty of backing washers
were to hand to ensure that the backing plate
allowed the mounting pole to be adjusted to the
absolute perpendicular.

In the event, total time taken was no more than
a few minutes - albeit interspersed with tea!

This 'absolutely perpendicular' position was checked, re-
checked and then, when ready, checked yet again. I don't
think one can underestimate the importance of these two
basic operations. Everything else flows from this....

Without the perpendicularity of the mount, or that the
whole is aligned to /true south/ ..the motor and it's
attached dish cannot track the Clarke belt with all those
luvverly geo-stationary satellites accurately.

3. Metronic motor was then checked that it was indeed
at it's factory-set position of 0.00degrees. (It
was - but if not, this could be reset simply, on the
ground by connecting to and powering up from the
receiver, prior to mounting).

4. The motor was then bolted to it's backing mount,
ensuring that the Metronic very well written but
rather useless 'elevation' DiSEQc 1.2's settings
were ignored in favour of Stab's USALS 'Latitude'
setting not mentioned in the Metronic manual.

Difficult? ..not in the least! Metronic has kindly
marked latitude settings clearly on the other side
of it's 450907/8 sturdy metal backing plate.. :))

Oh yes ..acquired the precise latitude, (to the required
0.1 degree of the installation position), from www.multimap.com

5. The dish and motor were then bolted and aligned to
each other, so that the whole unit, (dish, mount and
motor), could be perfectly aligned to true south and
the highest part of the equatorial Clarke Belt 'arc'...

6. Shinning up the ladder, (or rather friend and retired
one time TV Engineer used to this, sort of!) ..the
motor and dish were then mounted on the perpendicular
'pole' and temporarily secured to the true south
position at 180.00degrees (..or in inaccurate Euro-
parlance, 0.00deg South)!

5. Leads from the LNB and the SL65 Receiver were then
connected ..resulting in one lead being remade as
the simple 3.99gbp satellite locator suggested a
slight fault in an 'F' plug lead ..obvious as the
thing started bleating plaintively!

6. The SL65's USALS installation menu was entered and
the installation's latitude, longitude was entered
for the Hotbird group at 13E ..(in this case and not
having the desirable Thor 1,2/ Intel 10-20's central
position at the highest 1W position pre-stored).

The auto-tune menu was then entered so that the rotor
arm with attached dish could be moved to it's new
position at 13E.

NB: It is vital that the rotor arm is moved to the
position of the (to be acquired) satellite nearest to
true south first, /before/ any 'tweaking', so that the
relative positions of all the satellites remains fixed
in relation to true south ..and not to a spurious setting...

7. Said friend then gently ..and slowly(!) ..tweaked
the dish slightly to and fro laterally and with a
minute adjustment to the marked elevation of 22.5deg
(it's an early LiDL 10degree offset dish), until the
strongest signal was being received, whistling through
the locator.

The whole unit was then tightened on it's nuts ..and
no, it didn't complain.

Now came the hardest and most complex bit of all - and
upon which the rest of the installation stands ..or falls!

Coffee was made ..and the TV watched, with admiration, as
many, varied, stored SL65 channels were in turn flicked through.. :))

..and that, folks, was basically 'it'!

Very quick followups was a check that Thor 1,2/Intel 10-20's
position at 1W was indeed being picked up satisfactorily ..a
pointer perhaps for Comag/LiDL's note that this satellite
position could be factory stored for a new User using the
USALS menus - if indeed this hasn't already been noted...

..oh and a check that the farthest reaches East and West do
in fact pick up as intended.. Turksat at 90pc 'strength' with
a 72pc 'quality' - and up to 95pc with 100pc 'quality' on the
'Dogan' transponder to the expected 95pc strength and 100pc
quality of the French channels of France 1,2,3,4 and 5 at
Atlantic Bird 3's position at 5W!

..and thus it has remained, despite some severe rainfalls, a
few very strong winds and some icicles... and the attentiion of
a very determined spider!

As it's all USALS, then positions that might be stored in the
motor are unused ..with USALS the first installation of latitude
and longitude entered into just one satellite position then stores
this position for reference in all (yet to be entered) satellite
positions - whether using auto or manually tuning...

It just takes time to go to each new satellite, grab what's
available, look with amazement at the size of some of the
things on offer ..and delete many thousands of the same ..to
end up with some entirely watchable channels.

One point ..when storing new channels, I've found it useful
to number each satellite from whatever in the East to whatever
you might be able to get in the West. This allows one to 'sort'
the channels by 'satellite' ..and is /very/ helpful in avoiding
the dish flailing from one horizon to the other and back again
when flicking through channels. If you don't know what I mean,
you soon will... ;))

Incidentally, with LiDL's accurate 82cm dish, (non-rusting
after three years off weather-worn prior installation), there
is a quite a noticeable difference between the almost identical
positioning of Eurobird 1 at 28.5E and Astra 2D at 28.2E..!
These positions are often thought of as being the same.. but
in fact the channels downlinked from one position may not
necessarily be repeated in the other ..even if the two are
less than a nominal 0.3degree twitch away from each other...

By the bye.. all positions are being relayed through a very
successful LiDL 3.99gbp 0.6 LNB, with very acceptable digital
piccies in brilliant colour etc etc. The sensitivity of
Comag/LiDL's SL65 may yet become legendary!

Cost of motor.. 59.95gbp, inc vat. Cost of box, 39.95gbp inc
vat in June 2005, (it's the fully spec'd one). Cost of dish
..um, it came with an initial analogue kit c. 2002 at 39.00gbp
..but would now be 14.99gbp as a LiDL separate, including all
'F' plugs, 20 metres of quality cabling, digital satellite
locator with earpiece etc etc etc...

..in all, around a digital installation total of 100.00gbp
(115.00gbp with added dish), spread over three years...

I'm well pleased :))

..but do wonder at all the complex DiSEqC 1.00/1.2 setups,
calculations, elevations, declinations and vast amounts of
diagrams et al, when most if not all modern receivers now
have the free, freely available and so easy USALS (Universal
Satellite Automatic Locating Setup) on board, whereby the
software does it all for the User ..just like magic...

Hope all this helps any who might be interested.. :))

..and posting separately, as requested a short while ago, to
alt.sat.euro etc...

Bill ZFC (or Bill (Adopt) as per siggy somewhere)...
e&oe... ;))

Accs: Sir William Wright, Aerial Installer and sometime author
for "What Satellite and Fidgital TV", for demonstrating how an
'F' plug should be wired up and protected ..and how /not/ to
install a dish on the end of a flexible pole attached to a north
facing wall!

--
Adoption InterLink UK with -=- http://www.billsimpson.com/
Domain Host Orpheus Internet -=- http://www.orpheusinternet.co.uk/

Minty

2006-09-27 13:13:02 UTC

Hi Bill, I'm another SL65 owner!

Post by Paul D
<snip>

Bill, just curious - have you managed to motorise your dish
successfully, and if so how does it work with the SL65?

Bill, why's that - I've got last years SL65 working with an HH90 driving a
Fortec Star 90cm dish now! Pulls in everything from 42E (Turksat) to 5E
(nothing on the west, but that's either my DIY setup or trees/bushes!)

<snip>

Post by Bill (Adopt)
In the event, the HH90 - which didn't work from the outset,
(didn't seem to know where it was going - and mostly sat
and 'shivered' at zero for the few hours we attempted to
work it), is now back with Maplin's for their assessment -
and my refund! Will then invest in a different motor - and
this time one that works, hopefully.

I had that issue with mine - it wasn't the motor, but the box overheating!!
My SL65 got really hot during the heatwave summer we had. I found pointing
a fan at it soon sorted it out and it could drive the motor with no
problems. I'm now trying to work out how to put a more permanent form of
cooling on it.

<snip>

Post by Bill (Adopt)
However - and following these trial/tests with said friend (who
is, by the by, also a recently retired TV Engineer) and his
brand new SL65 which together with my SL65 that has not had,
The SL65's USALS is 'good'. Simple to use. Set motor
on perpendicular pole/mount (very, very important for it
to be precisely perpendicular) - start off pointing directly
at/to true south, (here, in the northern hemisphere); motor to
the nearest satellite to true south - I believe recommended to
be Thor/Intel at 1W and ....make the coffee and get the
popcorn/biccies ready! The rest of the satellites should
come in automatically once their 'Edit Satellite' menus have
had their individual DiSEqC choice also set to 'Motor'.

Yup, I can confirm it all works very well!

<snip>

Post by Bill (Adopt)
One thought - yet to be tested in my case - is that it could
be helpful to set your motorised channel menus to be sorted
on 'satellite', rather than 'channel' or anything else. Means
that within a band all your channels will be consecutively
renumbered for that satellite - the next band for the next
satellite ..and so on. This will help prevent making a channel
choice and having the dish flailing around the horizon - with,
possibly, the motor count becoming confused in the process.

You can download a channel sorter utility from Comag's website - however you
can't change the order of the satellites! Grrr.

Post by Bill (Adopt)
Incidentally, just to add to info, Tony Denyer - the GM (UK)
of Comag Handels Ag and the manufacturer/distributor of the
various flavours of LiDL's (Comag) SL65, recommends the use
of a Metronic's Sat Motor, among others, which he understands
works well with the SL65.

Any chance you can send me his contact details - I'd like to pass on my
comments about the SL65 and what a bargain it is!

Have you had a look at the forums on http://www.satellites.co.uk ? You'll
see all my posts about the SL65 in there!!

Bill (Adopt)

2006-09-27 16:55:17 UTC

[..]

Post by Minty
Hi Bill, I'm another SL65 owner!

Hi, Andrew.. :))

[..]

Post by Minty

It doesn't work! In my case the thing moved around
slightly, went back to zero - and then just 'shivered',
going nowhere fast, no matter what we tried! I now
understand - too late - that it's not by any means the
first time that this has been reported with this Stab
HH90 motor. Perhaps it's why Maplins had it on the
shelf at such an attractive price...

Following a fault finding telephone tour-de-force by
Myer Sat's Ryan which identified the Stab HH90 as probably
faulted - I then tested the HH90 using another, different
SL65 - known to be working with a new sat motor (belonging
to and in the company of my fiend, The TV Engineer).
Neither of the SL65s worked with my HH90...

My SL65 was then tested alongside his on /his/ new sat
motor and dish setup. Both worked without any problems...

Not to to belabour the point and, as stated earlier
given the present non-working Stab HH90 has now been
rejected, I've been advised against Stab's HH90 by
some very reputable people, including Comag Handels,
for precisely the reported problems that I have outlined.

Another well known Sat firm no longer carries the Stab HH90
in stock, for the precise reasons that I've mentioned above
and, perhaps, to avoid disappointing their customers...

This does not apparently apply to Stab's larger HH100
or the HH120 Stab motor which as I understand it continue
to supply excellent service to the quality end of that market.
Hopefully Stab is getting on top of this performance glitch,
even as we 'speak'...

Pity I'm just one of those suffering from this hiccup in
Stab's otherwise decent market history. I can't even use
that Italian motor to look at all those Italian ladies... ;))

..and today still suffering as well - nothing back from
Maplins as of yet. I've an unoccupied perpendicular bracket
holding up a large brick gable end - a hall full of offset,
asymmetrically solid, (non-rusting after three years of outdoor
hurricane force rain-soaked winds) LiDL dish and a so-lonely
SL65 - and all just waiting upon a nod from Maplins to join
together in ole!-rotorominy.. ;))

Whatever happened to the initiative of the local Maplin
shop manager and the concerned, willing, thoughtful and
so-helpful customer service??!

Post by Minty
<snip>

Can't answer that! Didn't even get to a sweat stage - but
do notice that the SL65 is rated at 350ma etc etc, as all
such DiSEqC boxes are, so there shouldn't really have been
a problem.. but that might vary with the individual box.
Perhaps you've just got a 'hot' one ..possibly a comment to
Comag here, or even directly to Comag Handels AG in Germany?

I get the feeling that they'd be both interested and concerned
to help you...

As I understand it, the SL65 only uses around 180ma in continual
use - ie, when it's moving the dish ..and a lot less in static
standby. It will use, briefly, a max surge at 350ma as the
motor first starts to move - but, not being an electrotechie,
I assume that this surge is normally covered in the mains-led
capacitor(s) ..or whatever...

Although my SL65 - at the time - was 'fixed dish', there didn't
appear to be any sign of overheating in the glorious 90deg+
heatwave. Piccy and sound remained as sharp, colourful and the
whole box as rapidly responsive and glitch free as I've become
used to with the SL65...

Post by Minty
<snip>

Yup, I can confirm it all works very well!
<snip>

You can download a channel sorter utility from Comag's website - however you
can't change the order of the satellites! Grrr.

ooeerr..! ..for which reason the dish can flail around
unmercifully if, hopping through the channels, each next
choice is accompanied by another change of satellite and
rotor position...

Does your proggie, (which I think I picked up on the off
chance), assume the use of an insecure microsoft running pc?
Program is a bit lost on me, I'm afraid.. ;(,)

Using a secured RISC OS based machine. Naturally, quite
different.. ;'))

Post by Minty

Any chance you can send me his contact details - I'd like to pass on my
comments about the SL65 and what a bargain it is!

:)) It is indeed! A true bargain, that is.. :))

Unfortunately, unless you wish to send me your email
address details privately (email as way above) - and
only if you're happy doing this - then I will be unable
to respond for the same reason that I don't appear to
have been able to contact Paul with those very same
details. Messages are returned as undeliverable.

Post by Minty

Have you had a look at the forums on http://www.satellites.co.uk ?
You'll
see all my posts about the SL65 in there!!

uh huh! Much prefer Usenet's newsgroups! ;)) ..but then,
I first arrived on the scene way back in the last century,
perhaps even earlier in some respects.. Simple text things
were a whole lot easier to handle with slow, clunky, dial-up
modems - as many correspondents are still using, even today.

(Sir Tim's w3 didn't even rate a gleam in his CERN inspired
horizon-event timetravel brainwave at the time).

..and I rather remember using cuniform type wedges and
wet-clay tablets at the time! ..or was that carved potatoe
and powder paint print.. ;))

Unfortunately, there are just so many forums that mostly only
speak to a tiny, although to them select, clientele - and
even then only at the discretion of the forum - or list -
owner - not forgetting all the the multi-coloured, flashed
graphic, super-sound, cartoon-led, psychodelic and utterly
higgledy-piggledy presentations that look beautiful to a
reely kW3L site design-destructor...!

Dark blue writing on a black background, I find, is just
/so/ readable....

Ooops.. do I sound like a grumpy old flatulent fart! I must
share a peg or two with my contemporary, Mister Wrinkly Wright.. ;))

Not to worry - I'll certainly go and have a look, Minty, now
that you've mentioned it! ..and thank you.. :))

:))

Bill ZFC

--
Adoption InterLink UK with -=- http://www.billsimpson.com/
Domain Host Orpheus Internet -=- http://www.orpheusinternet.co.uk/

Bill (Adopt)

2006-08-30 02:01:34 UTC

(within the discussion)...

Post by Bill (Adopt)
Your SL65/12 must be really quitetiny as the SL65 is only
about the size of normal library book anyway...

Stephen - I noticed today, in Maplins, that they had the
self-same SL65/12 DVB-S box on sale that you mention. I
think it was around 49.99gbp. They also had some kits
available - ie, with dish etc and within which I rather
suspect the SL65/12 would also be the box standard.

It would appear that the COMAG/LiDL boxes are beginning
to appear amongst a wider audience..

btw.. just to confirm that all the boxes on sale in LiDL
at the moment, whether in kit form or separate - are indeed
fully featured SL65s. Together with an audience, I checked!

Thanks again for your comment - it was timely and will
no doubt have helped others check as well, before purchase!

:))

Bill ZFC

--
Adoption InterLink UK with -=- http://www.billsimpson.com/
Domain Host Orpheus Internet -=- http://www.orpheusinternet.co.uk/

SoWeezy

2006-08-21 15:56:34 UTC

Post by David
Silvercrest is model number and web site of this make known?

can you only get the FTV and not the FTA channels ?

Yaz

2006-08-21 16:13:46 UTC

Post by David
Silvercrest is model number and web site of this make known?

can you only get the FTV and not the FTA channels ?

Which channels would one get with this receiver in the Midlands area? Any
subscriptions?

Yaz

{{{{{Welcome}}}}}

2006-08-21 16:48:41 UTC

Post by Yaz

Post by David
Silvercrest is model number and web site of this make known?

can you only get the FTV and not the FTA channels ?

Which channels would one get with this receiver in the Midlands area?
Any subscriptions?
Yaz

Too numerous to list.

Take a look at www.freesatfromsky.com you will be able to view all those
channels minus Ch4, Five and Sky Three

Then have a look at http://www.lyngsat.com/europe.html view all the
different satellites and look for which ones are FTA (Free To Air - In
The Clear) and then check the coverage maps and see if the dish you buy
is big enough to pull those channels in.

--
DVD rental: www.southeastbirmingham.co.uk/dvd
PAYG Mobile Offers: www.southeastbirmingham.co.uk/payg
Items for sale: www.dodgy-dealer.co.uk

{{{{{Welcome}}}}}

2006-08-21 16:44:16 UTC

Post by David
Silvercrest is model number and web site of this make known?

can you only get the FTV and not the FTA channels ?

Surely you mean that the other way around?

FTA - Free To Air - Thus meaning not encrypted and therefore any DVB-S
receiver will pick up the channels.

FTV - Free To View - Thus meaning the channels are encrypted and require
a viewing card, but no monthly payment, for the 3 FTV channels for the
UK, Ch4, Five and Sky Three you require a Sky Dodgy-box.

--
DVD rental: www.southeastbirmingham.co.uk/dvd
PAYG Mobile Offers: www.southeastbirmingham.co.uk/payg
Items for sale: www.dodgy-dealer.co.uk

SoWeezy

2006-08-22 09:34:04 UTC

Post by {{{{{Welcome}}}}}

Post by SoWeezy
can you only get the FTV and not the FTA channels ?

Surely you mean that the other way around?
FTA - Free To Air - Thus meaning not encrypted and therefore any DVB-S
receiver will pick up the channels.
FTV - Free To View - Thus meaning the channels are encrypted and require a
viewing card, but no monthly payment, for the 3 FTV channels for the UK,
Ch4, Five and Sky Three you require a Sky Dodgy-box.

the description reads "Free-to-air receiver"

{{{{{Welcome}}}}}

2006-08-22 15:52:25 UTC

Post by {{{{{Welcome}}}}}

Post by SoWeezy
can you only get the FTV and not the FTA channels ?

Surely you mean that the other way around?
FTA - Free To Air - Thus meaning not encrypted and therefore any
DVB-S receiver will pick up the channels.
FTV - Free To View - Thus meaning the channels are encrypted and
require a viewing card, but no monthly payment, for the 3 FTV
channels for the UK, Ch4, Five and Sky Three you require a Sky
Dodgy-box.

the description reads "Free-to-air receiver"

Exactly - FTA - Free To Air and not Free To View.

So you will only get the FTA channels not the three FTV channels.

To get the 3 FTV channels you need a Sky Dodgy box and viewing card.

FTA channels are receivable by any DVB-S receiver whether it's a FTA
receiver, a Sky Dodgy=box or any other DVB-S receiver whether it has
encryption or not.

--
DVD rental: www.southeastbirmingham.co.uk/dvd
PAYG Mobile Offers: www.southeastbirmingham.co.uk/payg
Items for sale: www.dodgy-dealer.co.uk

Zero Tolerance

2006-10-25 17:14:40 UTC

On Tue, 22 Aug 2006 15:52:25 GMT, "{{{{{Welcome}}}}}"

Post by {{{{{Welcome}}}}}
So you will only get the FTA channels not the three FTV channels.

There are 5 FTV channels, not three.

--

Mark Carver

2006-10-25 18:12:30 UTC

Post by Zero Tolerance
On Tue, 22 Aug 2006 15:52:25 GMT, "{{{{{Welcome}}}}}"

Post by {{{{{Welcome}}}}}
So you will only get the FTA channels not the three FTV channels.

There are 5 FTV channels, not three.

Yes, although to be fair when "{{{{{Welcome}}}}}" made his/her post there
still only three. You're showing Johnny P tendencies old chap :-)

--
Mark
Please replace invalid and invalid with gmx and net to reply.

Steve Terry

2006-10-25 23:11:16 UTC

Post by Zero Tolerance
On Tue, 22 Aug 2006 15:52:25 GMT, "{{{{{Welcome}}}}}"

Post by {{{{{Welcome}}}}}
So you will only get the FTA channels not the three FTV channels.

There are 5 FTV channels, not three.

Ch4, Ch5, Sky3, Fox news, ?

On the other hand Freesat has Men&Motors, SC4, life, Sumo,
Ben, Zone, OBE, Bonanza, eat cinema, Channel M,
and many more that aren't on Freeview

Steve Terry

Mark Carver

2006-10-26 07:40:52 UTC

Post by Steve Terry

Post by Zero Tolerance
On Tue, 22 Aug 2006 15:52:25 GMT, "{{{{{Welcome}}}}}"

Post by {{{{{Welcome}}}}}
So you will only get the FTA channels not the three FTV channels.

There are 5 FTV channels, not three.

Ch4, Ch5, Sky3, Fox news, ?

C4, C5, Sky 3, Five Life, Five US

--
Mark
Please replace invalid and invalid with gmx and net to reply.

Brian McKenna

2006-08-22 10:53:25 UTC

The receiver alone is worth it just to use as a digital radio outlet along
with a stereo,that what i will use it for,i already have a quad lnb and
satellite conections through out the house3!

Andereida

2006-08-25 11:38:22 UTC

Post by Brian McKenna
The receiver alone is worth it just to use as a digital radio outlet along
with a stereo,that what i will use it for,i already have a quad lnb and
satellite conections through out the house3!

I have some interest in this. Currently, I have an old installation
comprising a Sky analogue dish and Nokia receiver. It receives around 40
analogue transmissions, mainly German, from the satellite formerly used
by Sky. Was this Astra 10 deg?

Wonder about using the Lidl receiver on this set-up but I suspect that a
new LNB will be required to access digital transmissions. Would like to
receive any French language stations which are free to view.

Would be grateful for any advice.

Andereida

Bill (Adopt)

2006-08-25 12:36:11 UTC

Post by Brian McKenna
The receiver alone is worth it just to use as a digital radio

[..]

Post by Andereida
I have some interest in this. Currently, I have an old installation
comprising a Sky analogue dish and Nokia receiver. It receives around 40
analogue transmissions, mainly German, from the satellite formerly used
by Sky. Was this Astra 10 deg?

Dunno - might be ..or probably pointing at Astra 19E,
(which is the satellite group from which LiDL's SL65
download's any updated software. (Your new box won't
need it immediately, though - it works 'as is')!

Post by Andereida
Wonder about using the Lidl receiver on this set-up but I suspect that a
new LNB will be required to access digital transmissions. Would like to
receive any French language stations which are free to view.

No 'new' LNB needed for a change from analogue to
digital, providing your old LNB is a 'Universal',
so that it can access any DiSEqC switching commands.

As always - try first and only then change if it is
necessary.

Be wary of 'claims' ..or believing that a 0.2 LNB is
a 'better' LNB than one with a 0.6 noise factor. It
doesn't always follow - in the same way that leads
costing 89.99gbp are rarely better than ones costing
5.99gbp - and so on.

For further infornation about the LiDL offers, look
to the discussion in this thread where I have listed
as comprehensively as possible the features of the
SL65.

If the odd 'feature' sounds complex, pass over it and
look for those little things that make the box easy to
use. It is, literally, 'plug and play' - as long as
your dish is pointed at a main satellite group such as
Hotbird 13E, Astra at 19E, et al.

These satellite groups are all pre-entered into your
LiDL SL65 and will access immediately providing your
dish is in the correct direction.

hh...

Bill ZFC

Hope helps...

--
Adoption InterLink UK with -=- http://www.billsimpson.com/
Domain Host Orpheus Internet -=- http://www.orpheusinternet.co.uk/

Andereida

2006-08-26 10:57:09 UTC

Post by Brian McKenna
The receiver alone is worth it just to use as a digital radio

[..]

No 'new' LNB needed for a change from analogue to
digital, providing your old LNB is a 'Universal',
so that it can access any DiSEqC switching commands.
As always - try first and only then change if it is
necessary.
Be wary of 'claims' ..or believing that a 0.2 LNB is
a 'better' LNB than one with a 0.6 noise factor. It
doesn't always follow - in the same way that leads
costing 89.99gbp are rarely better than ones costing
5.99gbp - and so on.
For further infornation about the LiDL offers, look
to the discussion in this thread where I have listed
as comprehensively as possible the features of the
SL65.
If the odd 'feature' sounds complex, pass over it and
look for those little things that make the box easy to
use. It is, literally, 'plug and play' - as long as
your dish is pointed at a main satellite group such as
Hotbird 13E, Astra at 19E, et al.
These satellite groups are all pre-entered into your
LiDL SL65 and will access immediately providing your
dish is in the correct direction.
hh...
Bill ZFC
Hope helps...

Thank you for your advice. My "10 deg" was a typo - the dish is pointing
to Astra 19E. I think the LNB is a universal one so, as you say, the
installation should be 'plug and play'.

All I need to do is get up early on Monday!

Muchly appreciated, Bill.

Andereida

Andereida

2006-08-29 21:19:39 UTC

No 'new' LNB needed for a change from analogue to
digital, providing your old LNB is a 'Universal',
so that it can access any DiSEqC switching commands.
As always - try first and only then change if it is
necessary.
Be wary of 'claims' ..or believing that a 0.2 LNB is
a 'better' LNB than one with a 0.6 noise factor. It
doesn't always follow - in the same way that leads
costing 89.99gbp are rarely better than ones costing
5.99gbp - and so on.
For further infornation about the LiDL offers, look
to the discussion in this thread where I have listed
as comprehensively as possible the features of the
SL65.
If the odd 'feature' sounds complex, pass over it and
look for those little things that make the box easy to
use. It is, literally, 'plug and play' - as long as
your dish is pointed at a main satellite group such as
Hotbird 13E, Astra at 19E, et al.
These satellite groups are all pre-entered into your
LiDL SL65 and will access immediately providing your
dish is in the correct direction.
hh...
Bill ZFC
Hope helps...

OK, was down at my local Lidl at 8am on the 28th with a small queue of
perhaps a dozen other fellows who were looking for satellite dishes.
There were none at all on display. We all chased after the manager who
went into the stockroom and eventually found them and brought some out
for us.

At first he knew nothing about standalone receivers. Two of us pressed
him again until a young assistant found them at the bottom of the pile
in the stockroom.

It was soon apparent that my existing LNB was not a universal one so
today was back to the store to buy one of their £3.99 LNBs. After
fitting it to my elderly 60cm dish we receive a comprehensive range of
digital channels from Astra1 at 19E with a signal intensity of 79 percent.

Today there is still no satellite equipment on display but apparently
customers are to enquire at the check out.

Many thanks for your help.

Andereida

Bill (Adopt)

2006-08-30 01:04:39 UTC

[..]

Post by Bill (Adopt)
These satellite groups are all pre-entered into your
LiDL SL65 and will access immediately providing your
dish is in the correct direction.

All the equipment on offer was already on display
at our LiDL when I got there - shortly after opening.

The Inclusive Kit, the 85cm dish kit, the standalone
receivers, the satellite bleepers, the Universal single
LNBs - everything that was in the literature.

Whilst standing on a selection for a friend who was
dashing down to pick up his bits - and talking to
another who arrived - I discussed FTA satellite - and
the equipment - with a group of punters who were
delightedly purchasing...!

The stock - initially around 40+(?) complete units and
even more standalones disappeared totally in about 30 minutes.
There were still some of the smaller bits a bobs - and there
were lots - left when I finally moved on ..having done some
food/grocery shopping...

Post by Andereida
At first he knew nothing about standalone receivers. Two of us pressed
him again until a young assistant found them at the bottom of the pile
in the stockroom.

Mmmm... sounds as if they're a bit frightened of the
technology - or just don't want to go the effort of
getting the things out on display. Our staff here
know the popularity of the kits, so try to make a
good showing - although I daresay there may have still
been stack still unloaded.. ..although not by now I suspect!

Some of LiDL's offerings, particularly large computer
kits, monitors, TV sets et al are both bulky and rather
heavy, not to say difficult to lug about. Unlike the
usual outlets, LiDL's popular offerings don't stay around
for more than a few minutes.. it's quite a concentrated
effort to stack them alongside the baked beans, bread rolls
and special offer frozen foods.. ;))

Post by Andereida
It was soon apparent that my existing LNB was not a universal one so
today was back to the store to buy one of their £3.99 LNBs. After
fitting it to my elderly 60cm dish we receive a comprehensive range of
digital channels from Astra1 at 19E with a signal intensity of 79 percent.

:)) Brilliant!

The next step ..a USALS motor on which to mount your
'elderly' dish so that you can tour the heavens!

Post by Andereida
Today there is still no satellite equipment on display but apparently
customers are to enquire at the check out.

The boxes, both in the complete kits and as separates, are
as we have discussed in this thread - ie the full SL65 with
all the bits and pieces, including (or at least stated on
the box) RGB etc. I checked both, with onlooking spectators,
in a slight lull in the many questions - most of which I could
answer from my experience as a User, luckily.. ;))

Post by Andereida
Many thanks for your help.

Thank you. :)) Glad the threads been helpful to you...

Bill ZFC

--
Adoption InterLink UK with -=- http://www.billsimpson.com/
Domain Host Orpheus Internet -=- http://www.orpheusinternet.co.uk/

Roger R

2006-08-30 10:02:58 UTC

Post by Andereida
OK, was down at my local Lidl at 8am on the 28th with a small queue of
perhaps a dozen other fellows who were looking for satellite dishes. There
were none at all on display. We all chased after the manager who went into
the stockroom and eventually found them and brought some out for us.

[snip]

Post by Andereida
Today there is still no satellite equipment on display but apparently
customers are to enquire at the check out.

It might well depend on the location of the store.
Worth taking a look in other stores.
Here...Bournemouth there are a number of stores.
The one in the town centre usually has a maximum of 2 receivers supplied.
(local winos appear to account for a substantial portion of their customer
base - for cheap cider)
The stores on the perifery of the town usually have up to 40 receivers,
dishes etc.

The store at Branksome yesterday- the day after launch day- still had around
8 stand alone receivers, a palate load (about 13) of 80 cm dishes and loads
and loads of LNB's. All these items were in the usual display trays.
I did not see any 60 cm dishes or kits.

Going on previous experience it will still be possible to buy a reciever for
about a week. In fact last time around they did not all sell and the
remainder were removed after a week and reappeared around Chritsmas.

Perhaps sales are not as brisk because its possible to buy a similar priced
unit anytime from Maplin.

Roger

{{{{{Welcome}}}}}

2006-08-26 13:28:56 UTC

Post by Brian McKenna
The receiver alone is worth it just to use as a digital radio outlet
along with a stereo,that what i will use it for,i already have a
quad lnb and satellite conections through out the house3!

I have some interest in this. Currently, I have an old installation
comprising a Sky analogue dish and Nokia receiver. It receives around
40 analogue transmissions, mainly German, from the satellite formerly
used by Sky. Was this Astra 10 deg?
Wonder about using the Lidl receiver on this set-up but I suspect
that a new LNB will be required to access digital transmissions.
Would like to receive any French language stations which are free to
view.
Would be grateful for any advice.
Andereida

No such thing as Sky analogue dish. Please no Sky-brainwashing.

--
DVD rental: www.southeastbirmingham.co.uk/dvd
PAYG Mobile Offers: www.southeastbirmingham.co.uk/payg
Items for sale: www.dodgy-dealer.co.uk

charles

2006-08-26 15:03:56 UTC

Post by {{{{{Welcome}}}}}
No such thing as Sky analogue dish.

but there was.

--
From KT24 - in "Leafy Surrey"

Using a RISC OS computer running v5.11

Adrian A

2006-08-26 16:19:54 UTC

Post by charles

Post by {{{{{Welcome}}}}}
No such thing as Sky analogue dish.

but there was.

Oh no there wasn't.

charles

2006-08-26 16:39:58 UTC